Ivy

Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects

Common or English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine; it differs from ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and from American ivy (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and the related Virginian creeper. Ivy is grown widely, but the commercial product is obtained mainly from Eastern Europe. The leaf is the part that is applied medicinally.

Uses:
The European indications that are currently in favor are primarily for the respiratory tract. In Germany, ivy is recommended for its expectorant effect in dry cough, common cold, and chronic respiratory tract disorders. Extracts have been used as antispasmodics and as topical treatments of dermal infections and itching, as well as for weight loss. Common ivy also has been traditionally used for arthritis, scrofula, fevers, skin parasites, burns, and infections.

Pharmacology
The main components of interest are saponins (3-6% content, including hederin and hederacosides), flavonol gly­cosides (including rutin and kaempferol), sterols (including stigmasterol and sitosterol), sesquiterpenes, and polyalkanes (including falcarinol). The constituents in ivy are considered to have a mu­cokinetic effect, and they are reported to help loosen abnormal mucus in the respiratory tree. There is some evidence from animal experiments that ivy's saponins can increase respiratory tract se­cretions and can prevent acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. A product containing its chief constituent, hedera­saponin C (hederacoside C), has been shown to have antifungal properties and to be toxic to some parasites and bacteria.

Clinical Trials:
Several controlled clinical trials have been car­ried out in Germany with Prospan, an ivy extract produc. In one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of short duration in 24 children with asthma, findings suggested a bronchospas­moly tic effect as shown by statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in airway resistance and intrathoracic gas volume. A few other double-blind controlled studies on patients (hronic obstructive pulmonary disease suggest that ivy has , and physiologic value. The largest of these involved qiven ivy extract or an established mucusloosening drug,oxol; the benefits after 4 weeks of therapy were similar. the study lacked a placebo control, and since it is . to demonstrate the value of any mucokinetic agent, the , effectiveness of ivy remains uncertain.

Adverse Effects:
There are no known side effects of common ivy products.

Inleractions:
No drug interactions are recognized.

Cautions:
There are no data on ivy leaf in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Falcarinol, which is found mainly in the leaves, can cause contact dermatitis. Oral ingestion of the bitter ivy berries can be toxic.

Preparations & Doses:
In Europe, preparations are available as teas, skin products, cosmetics, shampoos, anticellulite creams,and in proprietary mixtures such as those used for bronchitis. The typical daily dose is 0.3 g of crude herb or equivalent extract for bronchitis.

Summary Evaluation
Products containing ivy leaf are among the many herbal remedies may appeal to patients with coughs, sinus problems and bronchiitits. Several controlled clinical trials in Germany showed possible benefits, but the value of these or any mucus-loosening ajents are difficult to prove.


Peter Thomas is a writer, who writes many great articles on herbal medicines for common ailments and diseases. For more information on herbal remedies and home remedies visit our site on health care at http://www.health-care-tips.org/ .